Guide 12 / 200 6 swaps Formal register
Professional words for “talk”
Six verbs that give "talk" its professional shape.
i · When it mattersTwo lines, no filler
"Talk" is shapeless — the reader can't tell a meeting from a negotiation from a lecture. Use the verb that matches the kind of exchange.
ii · The swaps6 ways
- 01Discuss neutral
two-way exchange on a topic
We discussed rollout options Monday.
- 02Negotiate formal
working toward terms
Negotiated the master services agreement.
- 03Address formal
speak to a topic or an audience
The CEO addressed the changes in the all-hands.
- 04Deliberate formal
weigh carefully, often in a group
The committee deliberated for three hours.
- 05Confer formal
consult, often briefly
She conferred with counsel before responding.
- 06Engage with neutral
active, substantive conversation
We engaged with three vendors.